MUNSTER | Park Board members adopted two Centennial Park resolutions Monday in a brief meeting.
Board President Hal Lusk along with members David Cerven and Kenneth Schoon voted unanimously on the measures. Members John Friend and Matt Brozovic were absent.
One resolution lifts the limitation on topsoil purchases for extra dirt needed to complete some lagging areas in the park.
The agreement with Terra Management, of Thornton, Ill., is for purchases at $9.29 per cubic yard, at the rate of $130 per load. The resolution states the cost is below market rates of $12 to $19 per cubic yard.
"When we are done with the whole thing, we will report back to you what we've done," said Town Manager Tom DeGiulio before the vote.
"The lowest bid for dirt for the golf course in March 2006 was $817,700, but we spent about half of that amount."
Munster has paid $357,580 -- representing a savings of $460,120 -- the resolution reads.
The document is an amendment to two earlier resolutions and was adopted at the Sept. 24 Town Council meeting.
Before and after the landfill was closed, almost 90 percent of the original estimated need for 585,000 cubic yards of fill material was secured at no cost, or the municipality was compensated, town officials said.
Later, board members authorized the use of park land escrow funds and bond proceeds to pay certain construction and operations costs for Centennial Park until the town receives its park and tax dollars around January.
The original budget for Centennial Park comprised several sources, including 2006 mortgage bonds, 2005 and 2006 park bonds, grants, sewer funds, and corporate and individual donations.
DeGiulio said Public Works and Solid Waste employees worked beside outside contractors in Centennial Park in cost-savings efforts, including the wetlands, bike path and some grading work.
According to state statue, Munster is prohibited from using bond issue proceeds to pay town employees for their work.
So park land escrow funds, generated from the sale of surplus park property, would be transferred to the park operating fund, motor vehicle highway and solid waste funds to reimburse for expenses of employees, equipment and supplies used at the park.
